Tag: Series

Review: Kiss and Don’t Tell (Meghan Quinn)

Kiss and Don’t Tell
Authors: Meghan Quinn
Publication Date: September 21, 2021
Genre: Contemporary, Sports Romance
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½

Synopsis:

From USA Today bestselling author and the author of The Highland Fling, comes a brand new hockey romance about a wayward traveler falling in love with her ex-boyfriend’s half-brother. Steamy and unapologetically witty.

Five hockey players, a cabin in the woods . . . and little old me, Winnie Berlin.

Sounds like the start of a fantasy, right? But it’s not. It’s my reality.

It all started when I got lost in the middle of the Canadian Rockies. A wicked thunderstorm sent my car mud sliding into a ditch and for a girl whose survival skills involve finding the nearest Starbucks, I was in deep trouble.

Forced to abandon my car in search of help, I stumbled upon a cabin in the middle of nowhere. Soaking wet, irritated, and in desperate need of a hot shower, I knocked on the door for help only to be greeted by five boisterous, burly, and insanely attractive men.

Not just men.

Professional hockey players.

I hit the motherload of fantasies, right? Wrong.

Because as it turns out, one of them is my ex-boyfriend’s half-brother. And when I end up crashing in their spare bedroom for the night, things take a very unexpected turn.

I’m not sure any amount of survival skills can protect my heart from Vancouver Agitators star goalie, Pacey Lawes. But as long as we kiss and don’t tell, maybe everything will be okay . . .

Every time I go to write a review for one of Meghan Quinn’s books I want to gush about her writing in general. Her books are my happy place. I honestly don’t know how she’s able to write so many books so quickly without them starting to feel redundant, but she manages to create unique characters and romances that make me laugh and swoon each time. I’ve been especially impressed with her new releases this year. I’ve always enjoyed her writing, but I feel like it’s gotten even better — if that’s even possible. But anyways. What I’m really here to do is review her newest release, Kiss and Don’t Tell.

Kiss and Don’t Tell was a beautiful beginning for what’s bound to be an amazing hockey romance series. Pacey and Winnie were adorable. I could feel the instant connection between them from the moment Winnie randomly showed up on the “cabin” doorstep. I loved how their relationship built and gave us a little bit of a slow burn feel. What could have easily felt like an instant love romance based on their strong chemistry and attraction was filled with moments of fun, sometimes awkward, getting to know each other. I loved getting to know Pacey and Winnie right along with them. I know readers are going to swoon over Pacey wooing Winnie.

In the blurb, you might have noticed that Winnie shows up to the cabin where Pacey and his 4 teammates are. Well, readers are also going to love the goalie extraordinaire’s teammates/buddies. Every single one of those guys better be getting a book! They all had such fun personalities and their interactions were hilarious. I loved how they weren’t just teammates or friends, but family really.

Pacey wasn’t the only one with great friends. Winnie’s besties Max and Katherine were great characters. Max was the fun one and Katherine…well, she was intense. I loved how the three of them balanced each other out. I really hope Katherine gets matched with one of Pacey’s friends at some point…

I do have to admit that there was one part of this book that made me slightly uncomfortable. I am not a fan of romances where the hero or heroine has been involved with their match’s sibling. Winnie’s ex-boyfriend, Josh, was Pacey’s half-sibling. There is some stuff that goes along with the relationship between Pacey and Josh that made this story work for me better than it might have otherwise, but how Pacey deals with part of it sat in the back of my mind bugging me a bit. It wasn’t a huge deal and it didn’t ruin this book at all, but it wasn’t my favorite.

Overall, I adored Kiss and Don’t Tell. Winnie and Pacey’s romance made me heart happy. I wouldn’t have minded reading even more about them. I guess I’ll just have to hope we get to see them again in future books.

     

AVAILABLE NOW!!!
(AND IN KU!)
 Amazon: http://mybook.to/KissandDontTell
Audio, Releasing 9/22: https://adbl.co/3BJqaxk      
Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58637781-kiss-and-don-t-tell  

About the Author:
USA Today Bestselling Author, wife, adoptive mother, and peanut butter lover. Author of romantic comedies and contemporary romance, Meghan Quinn brings readers the perfect combination of heart, humor, and heat in every book.  Connect with Meghan:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meghanquinnauthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7360513.Meghan_Quinn
Instagram: https://instagram.com/meghanquinnbooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorMegQuinn
Website: http://authormeghanquinn.com
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/meghan-quinn
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2LitE4x  

Mini Reviews: Tin Queen & Relentless

Tin Queen
Series: Clifton Forge, #6
Author: Devney Perry
Publication Date: August 31, 2021
Publisher: Devney Perry LLC
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ 

My thoughts:

I liked Emmett and Nova’s romance. It was steamier than the past books based on the nature of their relationship being primarily a physical one, but that fit well and it wasn’t overly steamy. I liked what being Tucker’s daughter meant for Nova and how that storyline went. Same for Emmett and his late father. The only thing that kept me from loving it was that I felt like the last book was more captivating. It made this one seem like a weaker end to the series. Still a good time and totally worth reading, though!

Relentless
Series: Mason Family, #4
Author: Adriana Locke
Publication Date: September 3, 2021
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Rating: ★ ★ ★ 

My thoughts:

I liked Relentless, but it was missing something for me. Oliver and Shaye were both great characters with interesting pasts. The chemistry was there. It was just something in the execution of the story. I’m not sure what it was, but it left the book feeling kind of blah. It mas missing something to make it stand out from the rest of the series, I guess. I would say it is worth the read if you’re looking for something light and fluffy or are a fan of the series.

Review: Another Motherfaker (Willow Aster & Laura Pavlov)

Another Motherfaker
Series: The G.D. Taylors, #3 
Authors: Willow Aster, Laura Pavlov
Publication Date: September 9, 2021
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Synopsis:

𝐀 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫, 𝐚 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐠𝐨𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐬𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐘𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐞—𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭? 𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐤𝐞, 𝐲𝐞𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥.

Cosette…
It’s time for a fresh start.
Out with the old and in with the new.
Except none of it is real.
Or it isn’t supposed to be.
My fake boyfriend happens to be the best relationship I’ve ever had.
And don’t even get me started on his dark eyes that I swear can see straight into my soul.
The way he makes me feel … everything about Caden Taylor is unexpected.

Caden…
I steer clear of relationships.
Especially the messy ones.
I keep things simple, and it works for me.
Until I agree to help out Cosette Dubois by pretending to date her.
The most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.
Kind and sweet and smart and talented.
Fake boyfriend … no problem.
I’m a giver that way.
Throw in a crazy ex, a Botox-injected mother who hates me, a snaggletoothed dog who can turn on a dime, and a woman I can’t stop thinking about.
Messy has never looked better. 

How does this series keep getting better and better? Aster and Pavlov keep upping the fun, the funny, the cuteness, the everything. I have given the past two books in this series 5 stars, I gave this book 5 stars, and I will keep giving this series 5 stars if it they keep doing what they’re doing. I laughed so many times I lost track.

If you like fake dating, this book has a great romance surrounding this trope. Caden has been smitten with Cosette since their companies started working together. He jumps on the chance to play fake boyfriend to her when she needs a buffer against her ex-boyfriend. The attraction and chemistry between Caden and Cosette was palpable, but what was even more pleasing was their emotional connection and the sweetness between them. I was there for every minute of it.

While Cosette and Caden’s relationship shined, I hate to admit they were upstaged a little by Louie. That dog was something. I don’t want to give his part away, but he was hilarious. Louie combined with Cosette’s villainous mom was something special. He might be my new favorite pet in a book.

Another Motherfaker didn’t stiff me on moments with the rest of the G.D. Taylors either. There were plenty of moments for them to be involved with. Even Maya’s mom made an appearance. I loved how they all contributed to Cosette and Caden’s story.

This was just one of those entertaining reads that made me feel happy. I couldn’t get enough of Cosette and Caden, the Taylor family, and little Louie. As far as third books in a series go, this one kept things rolling and made me excited that there are still two more books to come. I can’t get them in my grabby hands soon enough.

Mini Reviews: Sterling Shore Series, Books 9-12

Hi, all. I’m back with more Sterling Shores mini reviews. I reviewed books 2-6 here, if you’re curious. I skipped books 7 & 8 based on the reviews I read. I am thinking I might go back at some point and read the books I skipped even though I wasn’t into the blurbs just to get some of the characters’ stories I missed out on. We’ll see… But now for the last four books in the series.

Perfectly Toxic
Series: Sterling Shores, #9
Author: C.M. Owens
Publication Date: July 26, 2016
Genre:Contemporary Romance

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

My thoughts:

I was there for the Bella and Ethan match up. It was so much fun! These two played well off each other and great chemistry. Both were strong characters with tough things in their pasts. I might have raised my rating on Perfectly Toxic if it had stood out a little more from all of the other books in this series. It had a lot of the same tropes I’ve seen in the earlier books, so it didn’t stand out quite as much as I wanted it to. That being said, totally worth the read. I flew through it because of how much I loved Bella and Ethan together.

Make Me
Series: Sterling Shores, #10
Author: C.M. Owens
Publication Date: January 30, 2017
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ½

My thoughts:

Make Me was a fun read that had me laughing several times. Dale and Harley had such an interesting history. I loved that Dale wasn’t quite as suave as the rest of the Sterlings despite having the same good looks and last name. It was also cool that Harley was such a boss. I loved how strong she was and the way she ran her company. Her quest for revenge was entertaining. There were a couple of times I cringed during reading this book, though. There was a mix up and some poor choices by Dale that rubbed me wrong. Overall, it was another good addition to this series.

Taming a Maverick
Series: Sterling Shores, #11
Author: C.M. Owens
Publication Date: May 8, 2017
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½

My thoughts:

Maverick is and has always been a ladies man throughout this entire series. I have loved his cocky personality and his friendships, especially with Bella. He kept all those fun things in this book, but also became a more decent human being with Salem around. Their becoming step-siblings in their 20’s was an interesting angle with Salem’s family being what it was. I loved all of the interactions between Mav and Salem and her brothers. It was so much fun!

Talk Nerdy to Me
Series: Sterling Shores, #12
Author: C.M. Owens
Publication Date: May 30, 2018
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½

My thoughts:

I loved Talk Nerdy to Me. Britt and Base were an odd pairing, but it worked for me. Britt is one of those characters I have loved since I first met her, and I was happy she was finally getting her own book. I liked how Base tried to push Britt out of her comfort zone in a comfortable way and liked her differences. This book felt perfect to me until the big conflict came about. It was then that I realized I wasn’t seeing the hidden issues they had. Once they were laid out, I completely agreed with the actions that took place. That didn’t mean I still didn’t love Britt and Base. And I ended up loving how everything was worked out in the end. The conflict just made me rethink how I viewed their relationship from the start.

Final thoughts:

I’m really sad this is the end to this series. I felt like each book got better and I wanted more. I know this isn’t possible with Owens’ passing, and it makes me even sadder. Overall, this was a great series of interconnected characters.

Mini Reviews: Sterling Shores Series, Books 2-6 (C.M. Owens)

After reading S.T. Abby’s Mindf*ck series, I knew I had to read more of her books. Luckily for me she had written under a couple different names. After hearing praise for the Sterling Shores series, I decided to give it a try. I started with book 2 because book 1 wasn’t in KU. I don’t know how much I missed, but I’m guessing some set up for the families and setting. Here’s what I thought of what I have read so far.

Tagged & Ashed
Series: Sterling Shores, #2
Author: C.M. Owens
Publication Date: June 22, 2014
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance

Rating: ★ ★ ★

My thoughts:

This is my first Sterling Shore book. I enjoyed it. Ash and Tag were really cute together. The suspense plot was a little crazy, but worked. I guess the only thing that bugged me was one of the big surprises and how secretive Ash was. I got why the author went there, but I wish the communication would have been there at the beginning.

Note: After reading Tagged & Ashed, I have to admit I was curious what drew people to keep reading this series. I liked what I read in this book, but I might not have continued if I hadn’t already read this author before. I knew there had to somewhere in this series that it really started to take off. I went and read a bunch of reviews for upcoming books in the series. Those reviews led me to skip The Sterling Boys, book 3. I skipped ahead to book 4. 

Loving War
Series: Sterling Shores, #4
Author: C.M. Owens
Publication Date: December 18, 2014
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

My thoughts:

I skipped the third book in this series because of the reviews I read for it. I still haven’t decided if that was a bad decision or not. I had a little catching up to do with the history between Kode, Tria, Rain, and Dane. Once I knew what was up, it was easier to follow. I liked the relationship between Kode and Tria. Their enemies to lovers romance was fun. Kode was kind of a bully, but once they got things worked out he was a sweetheart. If you like jealous, alpha males you would probably like this book.

Breaking Even
Series: Sterling Shores, #5
Author: C.M. Owens
Publication Date: January 3, 2015
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½

My thoughts:

This was my favorite book in this series so far! It was so much fun! I liked the opposites attract thing going on and all of the pranks. I laughed so hard that my husband asked me what was so funny. Rye and Brin were adorable! THIS is what I was looking for and why I kept reading this series when I had my doubts after book 2.

A Redo
Series: Sterling Shores, #6
Author: C.M. Owens
Publication Date: May 25, 2015
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ 

My thoughts:

Okay, so this is one of those books you have to read after reading previous books because there is a little set up in the drama between Wren, his ex-wife, and his brother. Those books helped set up this story a bit. Wren and Allie’s romance wasn’t quite a second chance, but almost. It was a sweet story about a one night stand that resulted in a child turning into more. I loved Wren and Allie together. Their daughter Angel was adorable and made me like Wren way more than I had in past books. This book was a good addition to the series.

So those are the books I’ve read so far in the Sterling Shores series. I’m excited to read more. I’m going to cherry pick which ones to read after reading reviews. I plan to another series review similar to this one in the future.

Review: Lord of London Town (Tillie Cole)

Lord of London Town
Series: Adley Firm, #1
Author: Tillie Cole
Publication Date: October 10, 2020
Genre: Dark Romanc

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

Synopsis:

Cheska Harlow-Wright was born into a life of luxury and privilege. She has never wanted for anything. A comfortable future as a married London socialite ⁣
awaits her. But since the age of thirteen, Cheska has harboured a secret—an unshakeable fixation on a boy who could never offer her anything close to ⁣comfort. A boy steeped in sin and draped in depravity. A boy born into the possessive embrace of darkness. ⁣
⁣
When Cheska’s seemingly perfect world is ripped apart by an unknown but deadly enemy, there’s only one person she can run to. One person in the world ⁣who has the power to keep her safe. The one person her weak and shattered heart craves. ⁣
⁣
Arthur Adley. The new head of the most feared crime family in London. ⁣
⁣
Forced too young to take the helm of the Adley firm, Arthur has become even more ruthless, formidable, and cold than ever before. His enemies are circling, and he must fight—and kill—to maintain his family’s place at the top of the London crime underworld. There is no room for weakness, emotion, or loss of control.⁣
⁣
But then Cheska smashes back into his life with the force of a wrecking ball. She has no place in this dark, vicious, and bloodthirsty world. And worse, she is the solitary chink in his impenetrable armour. He’s already pushed her away once, but this time she desperately needs him. She’s broken, lost, and in danger, and he is the only one who can help.⁣
⁣
Arthur must protect her. He must destroy those who dare to threaten her, hunt down those who would take what is his. He would raze all of London to the ⁣ground to keep her safe… but can he also protect himself?⁣
⁣
The infamous Dark Lord of London Town faces his most brutal battle yet—the crippling weight of the past, the unrelenting enemies lurking in the shadows… and the havoc that Cheska’s presence is wreaking on the granite fortress that was once his heart.⁣ 

Normally I’m all about the sweet contemporary romances, but every once in a while I get burnt out on those and want something different. That’s when I reach for a thriller or a dark romance. I was feeling this way recently, but couldn’t find books that wanted to read. My ex-blogger friend, Ari, recommended Lord of London Town to me and I’m happy she did. It got me out of the book funk I was in. Here are my thoughts on it:

  • Lord of London Town started out a little slow, but it was setting the stage for what was to come.
  • Arthur was a violent guy. By the time I met him, it seemed like it was more nature than nurture, but as the story goes on I got to learn where his rage and punishment came from.
  • I didn’t exactly like all the violence and gore in this book, but it fit the story so I could roll with it. I definitely said “ew” a bunch of times.
  • Cheska was Arthur’s goodness and also the light of the book. She might have had a posh upbringing and clean upbringing, but she could easily hang with Arthur and his family. I loved her thoughts on everything.
  • Cheska and Arthur’s relationship was full of ups and downs that spanned years. Their time together wasn’t all tender love story. There was a lot of dark moments between the sweet ones. Despite that (or maybe because of it) they made a couple I could root for.
  • Arthur’s family was a great cast of characters. I enjoyed them all, but had a big soft spot for Vinnie. His relationship with Pearl made me both happy and sad. He’s the one I am most curious about what’s going to happen to in the next book.
  • The climax in this book was so good! There were lots of twist. Some I saw coming, others surprised me. Overall, it was a great read.

Review: Totally Folked (Penny Reid)

Totally Folked
Series: Good Folk: Modern Folktales, #1
Author: Penny Reid
Publication Date: July 20, 2021
Publisher: Cipher-Naught
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Synopsis:

One unforgettable night leads to an unlikely shared connection, and unlikely connections never go unnoticed by the good folks in Green Valley, Tennessee…

Jackson James follows the rules. He has to. He’s a sheriff’s deputy in a super small town with a super big personality. However, strict adherence to the law during the day has been enjoyably balanced by rakish rules at night. Jackson, typically happy to protect and serve (and serve, and serve), starts questioning the value of wayward evenings when getting laid starts to feel more like being waylaid. Could it be that Green Valley’s most eligible—and notorious—bachelor longs for something (and someone) real?

Mega movie star Raquel Ezra follows only one rule: always leave them wanting more. Studio execs, reporters, audiences, fans, lovers—no one can get enough of the smart, savvy, and sexy bombshell. But when “generous offers” begin to feel more like excessive demands, years of always leaving has the elusive starlet longing for something (and perhaps someone) lasting.

When Raquel abruptly returns to the quirky Tennessee hamlet, her path crosses with the delectable deputy with whom she spent one unforgettable night. Unfortunately, scandal and intrigue soon follow. Raquel and Jackson must decide which is more important: following their rules? Or, at long last, finding something real.

TOTALLY FOLKED is a standalone, contemporary romantic comedy novel and book #1 in the Good Folk: Modern Folktales series.

Never did I ever think I would need a Jackson James redemption romance, but Penny Reid obviously knows what I need more than I do. When I saw she had a free prequel novella to Totally Folked, I thought why not read Just Folking Around to see if I really wanted to read this book. Reid got me hooked on Jackson and Raquel being a thing from just that one night they spent together. I couldn’t wait to get to know both of them better in Totally Folked. And now here I am, excited to share how much I adored this book.

Totally Folked was so much fun! It’s one of those books that made me happy from beginning to end. Despite having one night together a few years ago, Jackson and Raquel’s romance was a slow burn. There were a lot of things at play before they could truly be together and, of course, some of those things included hijinks from some of our favorite Winston brothers. The way the Green Valley community was involved was pretty special.

I wasn’t a fan of Jackson James in the Winston Brothers series, but he totally redeemed himself. Getting to know him and what his thoughts were regarding his past were helpful. The soul searching Jackson had done was great, even if it wasn’t always spot on. I ended up loving his character, so that says a lot.

Raquel was the perfect addition to the Green Valley world. I liked her ties to Sienna and Jethro and how being a Hollywood starlet shaped the plot. I loved the discoveries she made about herself, her family, and what she wanted out of life. Green Valley was a great place for her to grow. I also enjoyed how the chapter titles related to Raquel’s Hollywood status.

Like I said before, Jackson and Raquel’s romance was sort of a slow burn thing. They got to get to know each other better, while the chemistry and passion they had in the novella was an undercurrent in the background. I loved the way they bonded and strengthened their emotional connection. It was sweet. They were sweet.

I’ve mentioned the Winston brothers, but there were a lot of other townspeople who came out to support Jackson and Raquel. I loved Jackson’s family and their part in the story. Raquel’s bodyguards were surprisingly fun. Out of everyone, my favorite was Charlotte. She was a good friend to both Jackson and Raquel. I’m so excited that she gets her own story in the next book!

Totally Folked was a big win for Penny Reid. She managed to take a character most of her readers aren’t fond of and make him a star. I was super impressed by this and it has reignited my love of her books (not that she ever lost it, but more just reminded me why she’s such a special author).

P.S. If you’re curious about Jackson and Raquel and aren’t sure if you really want to read Jackson’s book or not, check out Just Folking Around. It will have you racing to read Totally Folked.

Review: The Heart Principle (Helen Hoang)

The Heart Principle
Series: The Kiss Quotient, #3
Author: Helen Hoang
Publication Date: August 31, 2021
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Women’s Fiction
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

Synopsis:

A woman struggling with burnout learns to embrace the unexpected—and the man she enlists to help her—in this heartfelt new romance by USA Today bestselling author Helen Hoang.

When violinist Anna Sun accidentally achieves career success with a viral YouTube video, she finds herself incapacitated and burned out from her attempts to replicate that moment. And when her longtime boyfriend announces he wants an open relationship before making a final commitment, a hurt and angry Anna decides that if he wants an open relationship, then she does, too. Translation: She’s going to embark on a string of one-night stands. The more unacceptable the men, the better.

That’s where tattooed, motorcycle-riding Quan Diep comes in. Their first attempt at a one-night stand fails, as does their second, and their third, because being with Quan is more than sex—he accepts Anna on an unconditional level that she has just started to understand herself. However, when tragedy strikes Anna’s family she takes on a role that she is ill-suited for, until the burden of expectations threatens to destroy her. Anna and Quan have to fight for their chance at love, but to do that, they also have to fight for themselves. 

I, along with all other Helen Hoang fans, have been not so patiently waiting for The Heart Principle. After getting to know Quan over the past two books, I couldn’t wait for him to find love. The Heart Principle wasn’t exactly what I expected, but I loved it none the less.

The Heart Principle was the first book Hoang has written in first person. I loved the “I” instead of “she”. I felt it brought me closer to both Quan and especially to his new lady love, Anna. Their relationship started out as a casual thing, but I could feel their budding emotional connection from the minute they met. I loved them together and how their relationship built. This book wasn’t quite as romantic or sexy as the past books, but it worked for the characters.

Anna was a complex character going through A. LOT. A lot. Seriously. So much. Anna was overwhelmed and I was overwhelmed for her. Her family stuff was suffocating. Her mental health suffered due to all the pressure and I felt for her. I really did. I loved how Quan was able to be a support and comfort to her in that time. I loved the growth of Anna’s character throughout their relationship and this book.

There was only one way I felt let down by The Heart Principle. I was expecting Quan and Anna’s story and I got mostly Anna’s. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy Anna’s story. I did. It just made this book feel more women’s fiction than romance. I just wanted more Quan. His chapters were special and included a lot of Michael (The Kiss Quotient), but it felt like the most important chapters were from Anna’s POV. I get that, especially after reading the author’s note, but I wanted more Quan.

Overall, I truly enjoyed reading The Heart Principle. I loved how new and fresh it felt, while also maintaining the brand Helen Hoang has created. The move from from third to first person made me happy. Her writing is a addictive and a joy to read. I can’t wait to read what’s next from this talented author.

Review: Chasing Her Fire (Claire Kingsley)

Chasing Her Fire
Series: Bailey Brothers, #5
Author: Claire Kingsley
Publication Date: May 20, 2021
Publisher: Always Have, LLC
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½

Synopsis:

Sexy firefighter Logan Bailey is an expert at putting the wet stuff on the hot stuff—on and off duty. But he just did the unthinkable, and it wasn’t trading in his tube socks. He slept with his nemesis. His mortal enemy. The crazy redhead he loves to hate. Cara Goulding.

And no matter how much he wants to lie to himself, he has to admit, it was mind-blowing.

Cara will not be tempted by the one night she spent with prince dickhead—even if her traitorous body remembers every earth-shattering moment. It was a mistake and she’s stronger than that. She’ll just keep avoiding him and pretend it didn’t happen.

But the feuding small town of Tilikum might not be big enough for the both of them. Avoiding each other isn’t working. And with every moment they’re forced to spend together, the sparks get hotter, the flames grow brighter, and the tension borders on unbearable.

Until they both reach their breaking point and their fiery relationship explodes.

Author’s note: a sexy firefighter and the sassy redhead who drives him crazy. All the banter, delicious tension, a heartwarming family, and Kindle-melting steam. Enemies to lovers is as hot as it gets and these two are FIRE.

The Bailey Brothers is meant to be read in order. Start with book one, Protecting You.

This book was so good! I loved it. Cara and Logan were fire! I loved how they were enemies until one night changed it all. The push and pull of their interactions was so much fun! They chemistry and passion was off the charts. I also adored the sweetness and soft moments between them. Sigh. So adorable.

I have to admit that this would probably be a 5 star instead of 4.5 star read for me had I not jumped into the series with this book. I loved everything about the romance, but wasn’t quite on board with the Bailey-Haven feud or hunt for a treasure. That’s probably because I don’t have the history from the first four books. So I apologize for that. Oh, and I should add that I couldn’t stand Logan’s brotastic nicknames, but maybe they would have felt more natural if I had read the first books.

I’m so happy I read Chasing Her Fire. I tried another book by this author that was good but not great for me, and I wanted to give her another try. I’m glad I did! I can’t wait to go back and read the rest of this series.

Review: Love Next Door (Helena Hunting)

Love Next Door
Series: Lakeside, #1
Author: Helena Hunting
Narrators: Andi Arndt, Teddy Hamilton
Publication Date: July 27, 2021
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

Synopsis:

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Helena Hunting comes an evocative small-town romance about family loyalty, finding oneself, and falling in love.

When Dillion Stitch left her hometown, she had no intention of going back. But when her brother gets into trouble, Dillion reluctantly agrees to return home to take her place at the family business.

Being back in Pearl Lake after all these years feels familiar but also brings a few surprises. She’s quick to notice that someone new has shown up at the cottage next door. Dillion gets more than an eyeful when she goes to check out the newcomer and meets Donovan “Van” Firestone—her beloved neighbor’s grandson—in all his unclothed glory.

Having gotten off to a rocky start, it’s not long before they begin bickering with each other all over town. All that back-and-forth inevitably sparks an undeniable attraction. But Dillion’s family has issues, Van’s family resents him, and neither Dillion nor Van feels truly at ease in the small town. For these Pearl Lake exiles, home isn’t just where the heart is—it’s where things get complicated. 

Fans of Helena Hunting’s The Good Luck Charm and Kiss My Cupcake are sure to enjoy Love Next Door. It’s a sweet contemporary filled with lots of emotional moments and even some mystery. It also had a ton of small town goodness. I loved the lake setting with one side for the town and one side for the rich vacationers. I also loved what that small town did for the story and romance between Dillion and Van.

Dillion was a woman who had run from her small town past to the big city of Chicago. Coming home to help out her family’s business wasn’t in her plans, and she worried she had failed. Being home reconnected her with her roots and there was great character growth that way.

Van had some demons of his own he was fighting when it came to family. He grew up as someone who probably could have been on the other side of the lake with all those rich kids, but he spent his summers with his grandmother next door to Dillion. They didn’t really know each other, so meeting in adult life was entertaining in more ways than one. I loved how they met and how things went from there.

Dillion and Van’s relationship was adorable. There were a lot of fun, sweet moments. There was also some drama, but not a ton related to their relationship. The drama seemed to be all around them. It was pretty interesting. I wasn’t expecting some, like what was up with Dillion’s brother Billy. I could see the drama coming from Van’s family, so that was kind of expected. Thinking back on the drama, it kind of distracted from Dillion and Van’s relationship, but I guess that’s okay because it ended up bringing them closer together. Oh! And I almost forgot about Tucker… His character seemed kind of like an unnecessary distraction. I expected more a confrontation or something related to him.

I listened to the audio version of this book on KU, and I’m so glad I did. The narration was perfect. I always enjoy Andi Arndt and Teddy Hamilton narrating books, and they definitely rocked this one.

I’m excited for the next book in this series, Love on the Lake. I’m hoping it’s Aaron and Teagan’s story. I also wouldn’t mind Billy getting his own book.